McGill raises half a million dollars for Centraide

The Reporter looks at the 2015 McGill-Centraide campaign, the people who behind this record-breaking success and how the Centraide grassroots network is working to break the cycle of poverty and social exclusion for thousands of Montrealers.

December 10, 2015

From left to right: Daniel Jutras, Suzanne Fortier, Marty the Martlet, Kareem Ibrahim and Rosie Goldstein at the kickoff of the 2015 McGill Centraide campaign earlier this fall. / Photo: Owen Egan

By Meaghan Thurston

“We did it!” That was the subject line of an email circulated to the McGill-Centraide campaign committee members on December 4, the last day of official canvassing on campus. Volunteers began celebrating what was a record-breaking tally – almost exactly $500,000 – and that wasn’t even the end of it. By December 31, when Centraide closed the books on 2015, McGill campaign manager Brett Hooton says the University community raised more than $525,000 – $50,000 above its original goal.

By breaking the $500,000 mark, McGill will join the ranks of major corporations and organizations such as Bell, Scotiabank and the Ville de Montréal among the “Top 100 Campaigns.” The grand total raised by the McGill-Centraide campaign will be announced in the New Year.

Each year for the last two decades, the McGill community has come together to raise funds for Centraide of Greater Montreal, which is an umbrella organization for approximately 370 organizations and projects that assist low-income individuals in Montreal, Laval and the South Shore. In Greater Montreal, one out of seven people receives support from an agency in Centraide’s network. Whether they’re fighting hunger, helping immigrants settle into their new neighbourhoods, or supporting youth success, the diverse organizations in the network share a mission: investing resources locally in order to break the cycle of poverty and social exclusion.

Campaign co-chair Rosie Goldstein, Vice-Principal, Research and International Relations, speaking on behalf of her fellow co-chair Daniel Jutras, Dean of Law, said that “The campaign’s success is entirely due to McGill’s outstanding spirit of giving and the hard work of the volunteer committee, without whom the campaign would not have the wings to reach such great heights.”

The sentiment was echoed by the third campaign co-chair, Kareem Ibrahim, President, Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU). “Working with both students and staff on the Centraide Campaign this year was an exceptional pleasure, not only because we were able to contribute funds to an organization we know does great work for our community, but also because of how inspiring it is to see people come together for a cause that they care about,” said Ibrahim. “The energy I saw during this campaign was truly heartwarming and it made this work thoroughly enjoyable. I’m not surprised that we met our target, as a community, because the people I’ve worked with at this University truly do care. Thanks to everyone who helped make this a great success.”

“We once again exceeded this year’s fundraising goal for the Centraide Campaign, due to the generosity of the McGill community” said Principal and Vice-Chancellor Suzanne Fortier. “We are so pleased to be able to contribute to Centraide and their important work in support of those in need. My thanks to Rosie Goldstein, Daniel Jutras, and Kareem Ibrahim for their leadership and dedication to the success of this campaign.”

Beginning in September, just under 30 volunteers from McGill’s faculties and units have donated their time and energy to coordinate fundraising events such as bake and samosa sales, athletics events, local artisan showcases, and pancake breakfasts. Volunteers were also ambassadors for Centraide, frequently taking time out of the work day to inform colleagues about the work performed at the more than 360 Centraide-supported agencies.

“Being involved in the 2015 McGill Centraide campaign has been a fun and rewarding experience,” says Joyce Peralta, a Web Communications Associate in the Office of Communications and External Relations. “It’s felt good to give back to the greater Montreal community, and to know we’re making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. As a new employee at McGill, it was also wonderful to have the opportunity to work closely with people from other departments across campus.”

SSMU took an active role in the campaign this year, raising more than $1,600 through various events such as an apartment crawl and a pub night at McGill’s campus bar, as well as by selling raffle tickets for students living in residence. The Chromatones, a popular campus a cappella group, donated a portion of ticket sales from their fall concert to the campaign.

Three lucky donors received calls on Friday informing them they had been selected as winners of Montreal Canadiens hockey tickets, which were donated to the campaign by members of the McGill community. Another McGill donor spilt the winnings of the University-wide 50/50 draw, a total of $485.

View highlights from the campaign on the McGill-Centraide Facebook page and stay up-to-date with the campaign over the course of the year by following the @McGillCentraide on Twitter.

Note: This article was updated on February 19, 2016, to reflect the final campaign figures.